Grandison says his approach to sitting in the mayor’s seat would involve a closer working relationship not only with other councillors and administration, but industry, rural leaders, the social and non-profit sectors, and local businesses.

“The mayor, like anyone else, is one vote. What I think I bring to the table is to try and unite council,” he said during a Thursday afternoon interview. “I know not everyone will agree all the time, but if we can unify and work together, we can form a group that can best serve our citizens.”

Before entering real estate in 2010, he was a rural supervisor for the municipality from 2001 and 2010. During the 1980s, Grandison - who is Métis - was a band manager for the Fort McKay First Nation.

Within Fort McMurray, Grandison says he would take a collaborative approach to downtown development involving residents and businesses.

“Making use of that land is going to require some thought and effort. The economy has changed. The value of the land has changed from what we paid. How can we encourage, without compromising existing businesses and the fact they’re dealing with a downturn?” he said.

“I don’t know it’s going to rest solely on the back of council and administration to determine that solution," said Grandison. "We need private businesses, the chamber of commerce, the users to look at options available.”

While having a close relationship with industry is vital to the success of Wood Buffalo, Grandison says if the oil industry is to reduce its commuter workforce in Wood Buffalo, it will depend on creating incentives for industry to do so in the first place.

“I don’t think it’s the place of municipal government to tell industry how to do business. What we can do is work with industry to promote a region-first approach,” he said. “If we work with them and give them a strong voice at the table, I feel they would be more than willing to participate and work alongside the municipality to resolve the issue as best they can.”

A closer relationship with industry, as well as the provincial government, could help lessen the impact of a future tax ratio through Bill 21 on Wood Buffalo, he said.

Grandison says he also hopes to improve communication within the municipal government, and its relationship with residents. One initiative he wants to pursue is an open-door policy to the mayor’s office.

“Transparency between council and the public has not always been as good as it can be, and transparency between administration and policy makers or policy deliverers has not always been clear,” he said. “Through council direction and working collaboratively, we would be able to provide a better communications model for our citizens.”

To address complaints coming from many rural residents, such as high business taxes or food prices, Grandison wants to work closely with rural residents and leaders, as well with businesses and industry.

“The municipality isn’t in the business of being in business, it’s in the business of providing municipal services in accordance with the Municipal Governance Act,” he said. “What I do think where the municipality can play a role is with taxation and encouraging opportunities for businesses to develop.”